BABY ANSWER: What kind of repellent can pregnant women use?

Protecting yourself from mosquitoes during pregnancy is essential, but not all products are safe for your baby. Learn to choose!

Summer is many people’s favorite season, after all it’s the time when the beach, the pool and nature are most enjoyable. However, in addition to the fun of the heat, there are also the pesky mosquitoes. In addition to causing itchy sores, some of them can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and zika, the latter causing irreversible damage to the fetus.

For this reason, protecting yourself from mosquitoes is essential, even during pregnancy. But what kind of repellent can pregnant women use? To answer this and other questions, we consulted André Moreira, dermatologist at the Federal University of Goiás and Master of Science in oncodermatology and dermoscopy at the University of Graz, Austria.

“The repellents released by Anvisa for pregnant women are:

– based on DEET (like OFF!)

– based on icaridin (such as Exposis)

– based on ir3535 (like Johnson’s mosquito lotion)

We have no studies indicating citronella-based repellents, citronella oil, cedar oil, geranium oil, peppermint oil, andiroba oil, and clove oil. Therefore, as we do not know if they are safe during pregnancy, we do not recommend their use.

How to use and when to reapply the repellent

The duration of the repellent effect depends on the product and also on its concentration. DEET 10% protects the person for two hours, DEET 25% protects for ten hours (and it is useless to be above 50%, as it does not change this duration time). Ir3535, on the other hand, lasts for four to eight hours, while icaridin has presentations that protect up to twelve hours.

Repellent should be applied to clothing and exposed skin, never under clothing. It is worth mentioning that, in case of a lot of sweating or bathing, it must be reapplied. When ordering products, always remember: the repellent is a cover. What do you put first? Clothes or raincoat?

The effect is precisely that of creating a ‘cloud’ which can reach up to 4 cm in the applied area and which repels mosquitoes. If you run something over it, this “cloud” breaks and we lose protection. Therefore, always repellent last, even on clothes.

What to do in case of an allergic reaction

The repellent, as well as any product applied to the skin, can cause irritation and allergies. If they occur, the the safest way is to discontinue use and consult a doctorespecially during pregnancy, when many drugs cannot be used”.

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Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.